BASRAH — Following a ban on alcohol in Iraq, a Christian citizen in Basrah province in southern Baghdad was murdered late on Tuesday by two unidentified gunmen apparently for selling alcoholic beverages.

A local source said that the two gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire at the Christian citizen Nizar Elias Musa, in front of his restaurant in al-Watan street in Basra, adding that the victim had a liquor store as well.

The Iraqi parliament passed a law on October 22 which prohibits the import, production and sale of alcoholic beverages. The law however angered many in the country’s Christian community who rely on the business.

The law imposes a fine of up to 25 million Iraqi dinars ($19,000) for anyone violating the law. But it’s yet unclear how strictly the law would be enforced, and it could be struck down by the supreme court.